Iceland City Breaks: Reykjavik (Summer)

For a relatively small capital, Reykjavik has more than its fair share of festivals and special events, with new ones popping up almost yearly. Here are details of some of the more popular…

REYKJAVIK ARTS FESTIVAL

(15 May - 5 June) the festival is held annually and promotes Icelandic, Scandinavian and International culture through art exhibitions, concerts, theatre, dance and opera performances.

FESTIVAL OF THE SEA

(1 June) this festival honours those who have made or now make their living from the sea. It includes numerous cultural activities, local parades, arts and crafts activities for kids, food fairs and sailing competitions.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

(17 June) this is the National Day of Iceland when the country declared independence from Denmark in 1944. The greatest celebrations are in Reykjavik with colourful parades, street theatres, music and dancing.

SUMMER SOLSTICE

(21 June) these local festivals, marking the longest day of the year, are carefully organised to make them as authentic as they would have been in the Viking age with people wearing traditional clothing demonstrating arts and crafts, food, song and dance etc.

GAY PRIDE

(7-10 June) the second biggest festival in Iceland after the Cultural Night. It brings tens of thousands of people to the city centre to show solidarity for all. A fast growing number of tourists and the general public attend, to watch the performers in the colourful Grand Parade.

CULTURAL NIGHT

(23 Aug) thousands of people converge on the streets and enjoy a night of activities including traditional plays, performance art, special events at galleries, cafés, bars and a spectacular fireworks display.

REYKJAVIK MARATHON

(23 Aug) this annual event involves thousands of participants from all over the world running either a full or half marathon, or a 4.3 mile ‘fun run’. The official programme starts at noon and associated events continue into the early hours.